Is 3 yr old too young to start horse riding lessons?

Question

My daughter loves horses and really wants to ride. I found a place that starts this young but didn't know if it is worth paying for lessons. I didn't know if she could do any of the things that are taught at 3 yrs. Should I make her wait till 5yr?

Answer 1

if it's not too expensive, I don't think it would be a bad thing.  I taught lessons last summer and we had kinder riders who we just put on a pony to go around.  Some of them didn't really get into it, but a couple of the girls were really good...  they steer and everything.  Usually we just walk and do a little trotting and they walk over poles and around cones and things.  And we try to take time to teach them things like point to the mane and ask what it is and point to the saddle horn and ask what that is and that sort of thing.  Honestly I think the earlier the better...  if she's not getting anything out of it, then don't take her back until she's older.

Answer 2

If she enjoys it now, and can hold herself up the sooner the better.  Gives her something positive to do and it will give her an extra 2 years practice just in case she starts riding competitively.

Answer 3

yes...he is too young..

Answer 4

I give lessons also and I do not start them until 5. Usually at 5 most kids can pay attention for about 20 minutes on the lead line. I generally do not let kids ride by themselves on the rail in the large arena until they are 6  or 7, depending on the child. The main problem is focusing on what they need to do to stay on the horse. The second problem is understanding the mechanics of horseback riding. I am also a Certified Horsemanship Association certified instructor and in our learning materials this is what is has listed (in general):

*Ages 4-5 lack balance and small muscle control. Their large muscles are still developing and so is hand-eye coordination. Typically at this young age they are the center of their own universe but they respond well to positive rewards and discipline. Due to their trusting nature they believe anything adults tell them is true. They are easily distracted and cannot grasp complex operations. Their emotions are usually one extreme of another (happy or scared). Again, they lose focus and sense of balance quickly so constant instructor and assistant attention is in high demand. Horses need to be confined to a small area and generally should be on the lead line.*

Generally by the time they are 6 and 7 they understand there are rules but don't understand the concepts behind them. At this stagge we generally need to do a lot to keep them focused and lessons have to be repetitive and full of praise, enthusiam, pictures, and clear cut. Typically the reasons behind rules and concepts aren't fully understood until between 9 and 11, depending on the child and the child's gender. Girls generally hit this stage first.

Be aware that if you start her young and invest lots of time and money into the sport you may end up with a 10 or 11 year old who doesn't want to do it anymore. Stick to small scale riding adventures for a while.

Good luck and I hope you and your daughter have fun!

Answer 5

I give riding lessons my self and I find that if they are under 4 they dont really understand it that much.

What I would do is prepare her a bit such as: see if a friend of your's has a horse that she could just sit it and just get the feel of it and brush it. I would suggert getting lesson when she is about 6 because she will be stronger and will be able it handle it a bit better.

All the best and im sure your daughter will love her lessons

Answer 6

She is too young.She won't feel the enjoyment.Wait till she is 5 or 6 years.